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A bakery in western France has captured the public’s hearts and minds by inventing a folded baguette – a more compact and portable version of the traditional long loaf.

Le Darz bakery in Finistère decided to bake the baguette dough in a u-shape as a nod to the cyclists who frequent its shop. “It's the Biker's Baguette,” the bakers wrote on Facebook, in a post that has had more than 5,300 shares. “No need to cut – it’s already folded in two before cooking.”

The story spread like wildfire on the country's television channels, radio stations and newspapers, which shows how ingrained the humble baguette is in French identity. One wonders why it’s taken so long for bakers to realise that the original long, thin design could be improved upon.

"We made it as a nod to all the bikers, but also to amuse ourselves too,” commented the bakers. “We're ecstatic that you like it.”